The fourth edition of the annual Bosnia and Herzegovina's Microsoft Network conference, Microsoft NetWork 4, recently took place in the beautiful town of Banja Vrucica, and MVPs helped make it a notable success.

Their names are familiar in forums, on blogs and throughout social media. For many members of the community—including fellow MVPs—the chance to meet these experts in person often makes technical events that much more rewarding.

More and more, as technology binds the human experience and serves as a bridge to cross geographic and cultural boundaries, MVPs are using it as force for good in the world—in ways that are myriad and often inspirational.

Across the globe, and across a range of Microsoft technologies, MVPs offer their expertise and passion to the next generation of technologists—student competitors in the world-class Imagine Cup. This year the finalists meet in St. Petersburg, Russia, during the week of July 8th.

MVPs know that sometimes nothing can take the place of in-person, hands-on experience with technology, so many are instrumental in bringing important conferences to the community throughout the year—including these highly-regarded SharePoint events.

This is always an exciting time for everyone at Microsoft who is lucky enough to engage with technical communities—the run-up to the MVP Global Summit. And this year’s Summit coincides with the kick-off to the 20-year anniversary celebration of the MVP Award! It will feature 1,400 MVPs from around the globe and hundreds of Microsoft team members coming together to share their ideas and news about Microsoft technologies in more than 550 technical sessions.

There have been lots of stories about when and how the MVP Award began. Here’s what we know: The inspiration for the MVP Award was born in a tropical paradise. Twenty years ago—before Facebook or Twitter, widespread LAN lines or cable—there were the CompuServe forums, where technology experts could dial in, get answers to pressing questions and exchange ideas.

I’m in Brazil right now for the launch of Windows 8, surrounded by an enthusiastic MVP community. There are so many reasons that today—and this entire year—is an exciting time for all of us who work with MVPs. The Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Award is poised to celebrate its 20th anniversary - at the same time as Microsoft is in the midst of one of its most ambitious product release years.